NC State vs. Ohio State

Comparable Facts

Compare North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC with Ohio State University Main Campus in Columbus, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Ohio State University Main Campus is larger than NC State based on total student enrollment (61,443 students vs. 38,464 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is located in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting); Ohio State University Main Campus is in Columbus, OH (Large City setting).
• North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ohio State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1; Ohio State University Main Campus 16:1.

NC State vs. Ohio State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NC State or Ohio State? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at North Carolina State University at Raleigh than Ohio State ($15,522 vs. $19,783).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh are 2.8% lower than at Ohio State University Main Campus ($14,332 vs. $14,738).
• Ohio State University Main Campus is 50.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $4,445 more per year; $13,244.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.8% higher at Ohio State than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $7,175 more per year; $40,022.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ohio State University Main Campus than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (70% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ohio State University Main Campus students is 12.6% larger than aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students ($13,151 vs. $11,675).

NC State vs. Ohio State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NC State or Ohio State? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Ohio State and NC State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ohio State University Main Campus (1400) is 10 points higher than at NC State (1390).
• Incoming NC State students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 30) as students at Ohio State (30).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470; Ohio State University Main Campus 1310/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32; Ohio State University Main Campus 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NC State - Test optional; Ohio State - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: NC State Jan 15, 2027; Ohio State Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Ohio State (3.76).
• Ohio State has a higher acceptance rate (60.6%) than NC State (41.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.8% at NC State vs. 21.8% at Ohio State.

NC State vs. Ohio State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NC State and Ohio State? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Ohio State University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than North Carolina State University at Raleigh's (72%).
• Graduates from North Carolina State University at Raleigh earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than Ohio State graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,200 vs. $50,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Carolina State University at Raleigh graduates have a $718 lower median loan debt than Ohio State graduates ($20,782 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, NC State graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ohio State graduates ($214 vs. $222).
• More NC State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ohio State students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 63%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.